Press Release
Heifer International Selects ThriveAgric, DigiCow and Brastorne as Winners of the 2022 AYuTe Africa Challenge

Heifer International announced today the 2022 winners of the AYuTe Africa Challenge that supports agritech innovators: ThriveAgric of Nigeria, Kenya’s DigicCow and Botwana-based Brastorne Enterprises. ThriveAgric is a fast-growing start-up boosting farmer incomes and production with its breakthrough “agriculture operating system.” DigiCow is an agritech firm using digital tools to modernize production on small-scale dairy farms, while the digital technology for feature phones developed by Brastorne Enterprises is narrowing Africa’s rural digital divide.
“At a time when Africa is facing unprecedented food-related challenges, it is incredibly inspiring to see these young African champions firmly focused on an agriculture-led future that provides farmers with the innovations they need to succeed,” said Adesuwa Ifedi, senior vice president of Africa Programs, Heifer International. “We launched this competition in 2021, challenging African youths to bring us innovations poised to provide the positive disruption our farmers urgently need. ThriveAgric, DigiCow and Brastorne are more than ready to meet the moment,” she noted.
As winners of the 2022 AYuTe Africa Challenge, the three companies will receive a sizeable monetary investment: a total of USD 1.5 million in grants, along with ongoing support from a team of expert advisers accomplished business veterans to help them translate their funding into an aggressive expansion strategy. This is part of Heifer International’s commitment to support young entrepreneurs developing affordable tech innovations as they work to scale their businesses. Doing so makes new services and technologies available to African farmers to overcome long-standing challenges while attracting a new generation to unlock the huge potential of agriculture on the continent.
All three of the 2022 winners are helping African farmers by providing a novel solution to everyday obstacles:
ThriveAgric addresses a key challenge for small-scale farmers in Africa—a lack of access to finance, technical advice, business skills and market opportunities. It does so by using a proprietary Agriculture Operating System to help a team of 2,000 field agents support some 500,000 farmers across 22 Nigerian states with insights to improve their production and profits.
“We’ve developed the technologies, strategies and partnerships we believe can build the largest network of productive, profitable farmers Africa has ever seen,” said Uka Eje, Thrive Agric’s co-founder and CEO. “ThriveAgric’s 500,000 farmers are already producing and earning much more than the average Nigerian farmer. Investors are responding to our potential and this prestigious award from Heifer International will accelerate our plans to expand across the continent.”
DigiCow is helping small-scale African dairy operations increase productivity with technology that provides free access to livestock management experts and links farmers to skilled and qualified veterinarians, artificial insemination providers and feed supply services—all from their mobile phones.
“I grew up watching my mom struggle to get our cows to produce enough milk, and I’ve spent 15 years working with small-scale dairy farmers, so I know the challenges farmers face,” said Peninah Wanja, co-founder of Nairobi-based DigiCow. “That’s why it’s been so exciting to see 60,000 farmers—many of them women—now using our DigiCow apps to become more profitable and productive. With this new support from Heifer International, I’m confident we can expand our reach to help small-scale dairy farmers across the continent.”
Brastorne‘s apps, such as mAgri, give farmers access to farming information, markets and short-term finance using the capabilities of any feature phone, such as SMS and interactive voice technology. The Brastorne mobile service Mpotsa (“Ask me”) provides rural unconnected mobile users with localized information, and Vuka harnesses USSD technology to allow users on any phone to create profiles, add friends, create chat groups, and more. These technologies have helped farmers realize a 250% increase in yields and achieve 85% savings in communication and information access. The company also boasts 100% youth employment.
“About 80% of Africans cannot afford smartphones or expensive data — but they do have feature phones, and Brastorne is ensuring those phones connect farmers, youth and women to the resources they need,” said Martin Stimela, co-founder and CEO of Brastorne. “We look forward to working with Heifer International to connect the rural poor with equitable access to markets, information and community.”
Press Release
Moniepoint MFB Launches ‘Made for your Progress’ Campaign, Unveils Prolific Striker Victor Osimhen as Brand Ambassador

Moniepoint Microfinance Bank (MFB), Nigeria’s definitive and trusted business and personal banking platform, has launched its new brand campaign, “Made for Your Progress,” reaffirming its commitment to powering the dreams of millions of Nigerians. To signpost this message of aspiration and achievement, Moniepoint also proudly announces the appointment of Nigerian football star, Victor Osimhen, as its brand ambassador.
The “Made for your Progress” campaign establishes Moniepoint MFB as the financial partner for Nigeria’s huge aspirational, ambitious and gritty doers across all spheres of human endeavour.
At its core, the campaign celebrates the real people making real moves on their journey to success. It spotlights the small, medium, and big everyday victories that lead to customer growth, underlining Moniepoint’s commitment to being a reliable, sophisticated, and approachable financial partner.
“At Moniepoint, we have always believed that the ambitions of Nigerians are the bedrock of our economy as evidenced by the informal economy’s contributions to GDP. We celebrate the people behind the many businesses we serve, and the individuals who have created value with our personal banking service, ” said Babatunde Olofin, Managing Director of Moniepoint MFB. “’Made for your Progress’ is our promise to every Nigerian with a dream – that we will provide the financial comfort, confidence, and freedom they need to focus on building those dreams. We exist to recognize and power their journey.”
He continues, “Progress looks different for everyone, and we exist to support each unique journey. With this campaign, we are shining a light on the real people and small victories that make up the fabric of Nigeria’s growth story. Our commitment is to deliver financial happiness by being the most reliable and innovative partner for individuals and businesses nationwide.”
Victor Osimhen, whose story of resilience and achievement mirrors the campaign’s ethos. Osimhen’s inspiring “grass-to-grace” story of determination, resilience, and achievement resonates deeply with the spirit of the Moniepoint brand and the audience it serves. His journey from the streets of Olusosun in Lagos to becoming an elite goal scorer on the world stage is the stuff of dreams for millions of Nigerians. From humble beginnings to becoming one of Africa’s most celebrated football exports, Osimhen embodies the spirit of ambition, hard work, triumph and the Nigerian hustle.
Speaking about his role, Victor Osimhen said, “ My journey has always been about believing in progress, no matter the challenges. That is why I am proud to be associated with Moniepoint, a brand that truly supports people’s dreams and celebrates their wins, big or small. Together, we will inspire millions of Nigerians to keep striving for more.”
Lauding Moniepoint MFB, he said,” Their belief that every dream is valid and their commitment to powering progress aligns perfectly with my own life journey. ‘Made for your Progress’ is not a fancy, feel-good slogan; it’s a message of hope and a promise of support that I am proud to champion.”
Osimhen, who recently joined Turkish giants, Galatasaray on a permanent deal for a fee in the region of €75 million, in a move which broke the Turkish Süper Lig’s all-time transfer record brings both grassroots authenticity and global recognition to the partnership.
As part of its move to deepen financial inclusion, while powering the progress of individuals, it will be recalled that Moniepoint MFB launched its personal banking service in August 2023 to offer a comprehensive range of solutions designed to make personal financial management seamless and accessible. Key offerings include a personal banking app that enables users to easily make transfers, pay bills, and purchase airtime. The service is complemented by a Moniepoint debit card usable at ATMs, POS terminals, and online, backed by a reliable payment infrastructure trusted by over 10 million businesses in Nigeria.
The campaign will feature integrated marketing communications across traditional and digital platforms, showcasing diverse customer stories and highlighting how Moniepoint’s innovative products and services enable real progress in people’s lives. With this campaign, Moniepoint MFB will reinvent its products and services as being more than a transactional tool, but as Nigeria’s definitive financial institution that fuels ambition, powers dreams, and delivers financial comfort, confidence, and freedom with security and reliability to boot.
Press Release
Chowdeck Raises $9 Million Series A Funding to Launch Quick Commerce and Accelerate Expansion across Nigeria and Ghana

Chowdeck, Africa’s leading on-demand delivery platform, has raised $9 million in Series A funding to expand into more cities across Nigeria and Ghana, and launch a quick commerce strategy that will boost the speed and efficiency of its grocery and local markets delivery services.
The Series A equity round was led by Novastar Ventures, with participation from Y Combinator, AAIC Investment, Rebel Fund, GFR Fund, Kaleo, HoaQ and others. These investors bring deep expertise across different sectors, global networks, and operational insight that will support Chowdeck to scale sustainably and navigate Africa’s unique logistics and business environment.
The new funding will enable faster, more reliable delivery of food, groceries and medicine. The quick commerce strategy – supported by dark stores and hyperlocal logistics will further enhance delivery speed, improve depth of coverage, and accelerate expansion into additional cities across Nigeria and Ghana that are not yet served.
Since launching in October 2021, Chowdeck has emerged as the leading technology solutions provider for food and hospitality businesses in Africa. From logistics and inventory management to payments and performance tools, Chowdeck helps its partners streamline operations and meet rising customer expectations. With over 1.5 million customers and more than 20,000 riders across 11 cities, its tech-enabled logistics network enables businesses to deliver orders in an average of 30 minutes, while offering customers a seamless platform to access meals, groceries, and everyday essentials. In 2024, the value of meals delivered via the Chowdeck platform grew more than sixfold compared to the previous year. The company has already exceeded last year’s total and is firmly on track for another record-breaking year in 2025.
Chowdeck’s growth in Nigeria and Ghana has been driven by its hyperlocal execution, fast and reliable logistics, as well as strong vendor partnerships that position it as a growth partner rather than just a delivery app. Its recent acquisition of Mira, providers of modern point-of-sale (POS) solutions tailored for the food and hospitality industry, also enables it to leverage Mira’s exceptional product development capabilities to ideate and deliver new technology solutions to support growth and improve customer experience. Backed by a focused leadership team and rising customer demand for quick, digital-first services, Chowdeck is scaling rapidly by combining operational excellence with deep local insight.
Femi Aluko, CEO and co-founder of Chowdeck, said “we’re thrilled about this round as it brings us closer to our vision of becoming Africa’s number one super app, transforming how millions of Africans access food, groceries and essentials every day. This funding will supercharge our growth plans, enabling us to expand into more cities, reduce delivery times, scale our grocery footprint, and attract the best talent to drive innovation and customer satisfaction.”
Brian Waswani Odhiambo, Partner at Novastar Ventures, said: “Chowdeck is building the future of logistics for African cities by creating a platform that benefits consumers, vendors and riders alike. With deep local insight, a sustainability-first approach and impressive execution, Chowdeck is redefining last-mile delivery on the continent. We’re very excited to partner with Chowdeck in this next phase of growth as it scales its offering and helps create a more inclusive, sustainable and efficient urban economy.”
Press Release
The African Talent Company and Mastercard Foundation Scale Youth Employability Efforts Across the Continent

Since 2020, The African Talent Company (TATC), through Jobberman Nigeria, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, under the Young Africa Works Strategy, has successfully trained over 2.4 million young Nigerians and facilitated more than 600,000 job placements, advancing inclusive, dignified work opportunities across the country.
This strategic partnership has applied a data-driven, community-based model and low-bandwidth digital solutions to ensure broad accessibility, especially for underserved youth aged 18 to 35.
Recently in Nigeria, Jobberman convened the Technology and Employment Inclusion in Marginalised Contexts (TEIMC) Roundtable in Abuja, shifting the focus to some of the continent’s most vulnerable youth: women in disadvantaged communities, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The event brought together leaders from across government, civil society, tech platforms, and the private sector to tackle the structural and digital barriers these groups face in accessing employment opportunities.
“Technology can and must be a force for inclusion, not division,” said Hilda Kabushenga, CEO of The African Talent Company. “As the world of work evolves, we must ensure that no one is left behind. These conversations are about equity, access, and opportunity.”
The Roundtable also marked the launch of a groundbreaking report: “Technology and Employment Inclusion in Marginalised Contexts”, which revealed that while 72% of employers in Nigeria make no effort toward inclusive hiring, digital tools and remote work are beginning to create new entry points for underserved populations. Notably, 55% of PWDs and 44% of displaced women surveyed had secured some form of work, mainly through self-employment in creative media and agriculture sectors.
“Inclusion is not a side conversation, it is the main agenda,” said Rosy Fynn, Country Director, Mastercard Foundation Nigeria. “We must design systems where marginalised groups are not just considered, but centred.”
The roundtable’s policy briefs and programme recommendations will inform the Young Africa Works learning agenda and guide future employer training, platform design, and inclusive employment programming.
Axel Konjack, Head of Global Marketplaces and Member of the Ringier Group Executive Board, added, “Africa is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing workforce, and that presents both an incredible opportunity and a responsibility. If we want to build a truly inclusive global economy, we must invest in equipping young Africans with the skills, tools and access they need to thrive in the evolving labour market.”
Building on this five-year partnership in Nigeria, impact activities are underway in BrighterMonday Kenya and BrighterMonday Uganda, as the Mastercard Foundation and The African Talent Company extend efforts to scale inclusive youth employment solutions across the continent. The deepened partnership is already delivering results. In Kampala, BrighterMonday Uganda hosted a Career Clinic that brought together government and private sector leaders under the theme “Skills For Today: Empowering Uganda’s Youth To Take Control Of Their Future.” Numerous young job seekers accessed CV reviews, coaching, and digital skills training, reinforcing the initiative’s commitment to hands-on, work-readiness programming.
“This expansion reflects our belief that every young African, regardless of circumstance, deserves the opportunity to earn a dignified livelihood,” said Hilda Kabushenga. “The partnership in Nigeria has laid a strong foundation, but the real work has just begun.”
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